A proposal to turn the former Berkeley Bowl into part of an automobile dealership, a mixed-use project on Blake Street near Shattuck Avenue, and a new municipal garage on Center Street were on the July 16 Design Review Committee agenda.

Caltrans finishing Ashby Avenue work

Lane closures on Ashby Avenue between Interstate 80 and Seventh Street started July 13 and are scheduled to continue through July 17, meaning possible traffic delays, Caltrans warned.

A project to protect rock slopes and repair slides will close one lane in each direction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, the agency announced. Motorists exiting eastbound I-80 onto Ashby will face a shortened merging distance.

Ashby Avenue is part of state Highway 13.

One lane of Ashby in each direction will remain open during construction. The California Highway Patrol will be on site during closures.

The work is subject to weather conditions and will be rescheduled if necessary. The agency advises motorists to allow extra time for their commute and to drive with caution through the construction zone.

More information about Caltrans construction projects is available at #alameda.

Berkeley Police Department is hiring

The Berkeley Police Department is accepting applications for lateral, entry level and reserve police officers, it announced last week. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. July 27.

“Our team is made up of dedicated sworn men and women who are devoted to reducing crime, treating the community with respect and compassion, and holding ourselves accountable for our performance,” the department said in an announcement.

For more details visit .

Celebrating Medicare, Medicaid at 50

The Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers are hosting a program celebrating the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid at 1:30 p.m. July 22 at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.

The featured speakers will be Teri Gerritz of the California Retired Teachers Association discussing the expansion of Social Security and Jodi Reid of California Alliance of Retired Americans. The event is open to all and will include “music, fun and surprises.”

Free performance by West Edge Opera

West Edge Opera will offer a sneak preview of its upcoming opera “As One,” which “illuminates the brave and painful growth of a transgender person,” at a free performance at noon July 23 in the in the third floor Community Meeting Room of the Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St.

“Three co-creators of the opera — composer Laura Kaminsky, co-librettists Mark Campbell and Kimberly Reed — will speak about their 2014 work,” based on the actual experience of co-librettist Reed, a transgender filmmaker, editor and producer.

The free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. ()

Plastic-Free events at Ecology Center

The Ecology Center is promoting its annual “Plastic-Free July,” part of an international effort to share ideas on reducing the use of single-use, disposable plastic.

The center is hosting a Berkeley Marina shoreline cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon July 18 at Shorebird Park, 160 University Ave.

Center events continue during the month. Visit for a schedule and resources.

National Night Out organizing begins

Registration is now open for the 32nd annual National Night Out anti-crime event on Aug. 4, sponsored by the city and its police and fire departments.

The event encourages residents to organize outdoor gatherings where they “will have the opportunity to connect with their neighbors and network with city employees.”